By hacking the WhatsApp profile of overseas Pakistanis, a group has become active in Pakistan to collect huge sums of money from their loved ones and relatives in the name of emergency.
Every day there are such stories of fraud and crimes that people get worried. Where technology has created ease for man, it has also created mountains of trouble. Now take the example of WhatsApp. People who live in other countries make video calls to themselves and are happy, but when fraudsters steal their own photos, your anger comes out only on WhatsApp. The accused are cheating citizens through different bank and mobile phone accounts and the Federal The Investigation Agency (FIA) is receiving a lot of complaints in this regard.
According to Director FIA Sindh Sultan Khawaja, the latest incident happened with Tariq Fawad Khawaja, a resident of Defense area of Karachi.
According to Tariq Khawaja, someone uploaded the WhatsApp profile picture of his US-based cousin Ahmad Ijaz and sent him a WhatsApp message from an American number saying that he could not call and discuss the message. The WhatsApp message further said that They are stuck in some trouble so immediately send two lakh Pakistani rupees to the bank account for them so that they can get rid of the trouble.
According to Tariq Khawaja, he was trying to confirm the situation of Ahmad Ejaz by phone, and his mother called from Lahore and confirmed that Ahmed Ejaz had also sent her a message and that he was really in trouble. Send the money. According to Tariq Khawaja, he wrote a message and asked to which account the money should be transferred. In response, the account number of a private bank was provided, but due to online disruption, the money could not be transferred to that account, so the said person gave the account number of another bank.
According to Tariq Khawaja, he immediately transferred 2 lakh rupees to the said account. Tariq Khawaja said that after a while, the said person asked to send another lakh rupees, so he got worried, during which he mentioned to his other relatives. So he said that someone is collecting money using the WhatsApp profile picture of Navsarbaz Ejaz, so don’t transfer the money to his account.
According to Tariq Khawaja, his cousin Abdul Hameed had also transferred 2 lakh rupees to the same bank account due to the same sympathy, but he contacted his bank and stopped the transfer and transferred the money back to his account. Tariq Khawaja also lodged a complaint in his bank at 11 pm after the real truth of Nosarbaz came out and tried to get the money back, but he was told that the account holder in which the money was transferred immediately withdrew the money. Thus, a simple citizen has lost lakhs of rupees by falling into the hands of a fraudster. However, the FIA authorities have started investigating the case.
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2024-09-12 18:13:24
Table of Contents
WhatsApp Scam: How Fraudsters are Targeting Overseas Pakistanis and Their Loved Ones
In recent times, a group of scammers has been active in Pakistan, targeting overseas Pakistanis and their loved ones, collecting huge sums of money in the name of emergency. The modus operandi of these fraudsters involves hacking into the WhatsApp profiles of overseas Pakistanis, using their stolen photos and messages to deceive their relatives back in Pakistan.
How the Scam Works
The scammers upload the stolen WhatsApp profile picture of the overseas Pakistani and send a message to their relatives, claiming to be in trouble and in need of immediate financial assistance. The message often creates a sense of urgency, asking the relative to transfer a large sum of money to a bank account to help the person in distress. In some cases, the scammers even provide a fake account number, making it seem like a legitimate transaction.
Real-Life Example
One such incident was reported by Tariq Fawad Khawaja, a resident of Defense area in Karachi. His US-based cousin, Ahmad Ijaz, had his WhatsApp profile picture stolen, and a fake message was sent to Tariq, claiming that Ahmad was in trouble and needed 2 lakh Pakistani rupees to be transferred to a bank account. Tariq was suspicious, but when his mother called from Lahore and confirmed that Ahmad had also sent her a similar message, he transferred the money. However, when the scammer asked for another lakh rupees, Tariq got worried and alerted his relatives, who then realized it was a scam.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling prey to such scams, it’s essential to be cautious and verify the authenticity of messages received on WhatsApp. Here are some tips:
- Verify the authenticity of the message: If you receive a message from a loved one claiming to be in trouble, try to call or video call them to confirm their situation.
- Be wary of urgent requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action. Take your time, and don’t rush into transferring money.
- Check for red flags: Be cautious of messages with poor grammar, spelling errors, or those that seem too good (or bad) to be true.
- Use two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication on your WhatsApp account to add an extra layer of security.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and WhatsApp authorities.
WhatsApp Security Risks
The WhatsApp platform itself is not immune to security risks. Hackers can gain access to your WhatsApp account by:
- Tricking you into giving away your verification code: Be cautious of fake messages asking for your verification code. Never share your verification code with anyone.
- Using spyware or malware: Be careful when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Cloning your phone or SIM card: Be vigilant about your phone’s security, and report any suspicious activity to your service provider.
Consequences of WhatsApp Hacking
The consequences of WhatsApp hacking can be severe. Not only can scammers steal your personal data, but they can also use your account to deceive your loved ones, leading to financial losses and emotional distress.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp scam targeting overseas Pakistanis and their loved ones is a serious concern. It’s essential to be aware of the tactics used by these fraudsters and take necessary precautions to protect yourself. By verifying the authenticity of messages, being cautious of urgent requests, and reporting suspicious activity, you can avoid falling prey to these scams. Remember, WhatsApp security is a shared responsibility, and we must all do our part to stay safe online.
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WhatsApp Scam: How Fraudsters are Targeting Overseas Pakistanis and Their Loved Ones
In recent times, a group of scammers has been active in Pakistan, targeting overseas Pakistanis and their loved ones, collecting huge sums of money in the name of emergency. The modus operandi of these fraudsters involves hacking into the WhatsApp profiles of overseas Pakistanis, using their stolen photos and messages to deceive their relatives and friends back in Pakistan.
The Scam: How it Works
The scam typically begins with the fraudsters gaining access to an overseas Pakistani’s WhatsApp profile, often by using sophisticated hacking techniques. Once they have control of the profile, they upload the person’s own photos and start sending messages to their contacts, claiming to be in an emergency situation and in dire need of financial assistance.
The messages often create a sense of urgency, claiming that the person is stuck in a difficult situation and needs money to be transferred to a specific bank account immediately. The fraudsters may also use the victim’s WhatsApp profile to send messages to their loved ones, saying that they are unable to make calls and can only communicate through WhatsApp.
A Recent Incident
According to reports, a resident of Karachi, Tariq Fawad Khawaja, recently fell victim to this scam. His US-based cousin, Ahmad Ijaz, had his WhatsApp profile hacked, and the fraudsters sent a message to Tariq, claiming to be Ahmad and saying that he was in trouble and needed two lakh Pakistani rupees to be transferred to a specific bank account.
Tariq, believing the message to be genuine, transferred the money to the account. However, when he tried to confirm the situation with Ahmad, he realized that it was a scam and that his cousin’s WhatsApp profile had been hacked. Unfortunately, Tariq was not the only victim of this scam. His cousin, Abdul Hameed, had also transferred two lakh rupees to the same account, but was able to stop the transfer and get the money back after contacting his bank.
The Investigation
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has received several complaints about this scam and is currently investigating the matter. Director FIA Sindh, Sultan Khawaja, has stated that the agency is taking steps to identify and apprehend the fraudsters involved in the scam.
Precautions to Take
To avoid falling victim to this scam, it is essential to take certain precautions. If you receive a message on WhatsApp claiming to be from a loved one in an emergency situation, do not panic and do not transfer any money immediately. Instead, try to verify the situation by contacting the person directly or through other means. Be cautious of messages that create a sense of urgency and be wary of bank account numbers and other financial information being shared on WhatsApp.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp scam targeting overseas Pakistanis and their loved ones is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. It is essential for people to be aware of this scam and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to it. The authorities must also take swift action to identify and apprehend the fraudsters involved in this scam, and bring them to justice.
Keywords: WhatsApp scam, overseas Pakistanis, fraudsters, emergency, huge sums of money, FIA investigation, precautions to take.
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WhatsApp Scam: How Fraudsters are Targeting Overseas Pakistanis and Their Loved Ones
The Scam: How it Works
A Recent Incident
The Investigation
Precautions to Take
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